Hey! I was about to say that.

Rob, I'll throw in some money if you make it over here, it's only fair. I figure I owe you for the DVD, and advice.

$365 from JFK to Oakland non-stop if you book through the American Airlines website.

EDIT: just noticed that doesn't get you back till 4pm on Sat.

Jet Blue is about the same and I think they would get me back around 2PM. That is good enough.

My parents are going away on vacation Saturday, and I have to look after my hoodlum of a brother.

Rob, I'll throw in some money if you make it over here, it's only fair. I figure I owe you for the DVD, and advice.

Thanks guys! We'll see. The chance is slim, but I do want to be there.

It looks like a table for 15 should about cover it. I wonder if they have one that big. Loren, do you want to take care of the reservation since you speak the local lingo?

Probably best to check my maths as well - I'm jet lagged

Rob

Put me down as a definite maybe. Not sure of my weekend plans yet. I have never been to the S.R. will there be parking in that area on a Friday night?

-Mike

parking is like a scavanger hunt put at least 15 - 20 min aside for trying to find parking there, there are some pay parking in the area.

Yeah, i'll make a reservation tomorrow after a little more of a final count... and Justin is right... it's the off season so parking isn't horrendous, but best bet is one of the pay garages or park a few blocks away and walk it. It's an awesome area anyhow, so the walk isn't bad.

Include me in the reservation. I just booked my flight.

I get into Oakland at 2:15PM, so I have nothing to do for a few hours. If anyone wants to hang out, let me know.

Damn, that is hard core. If Rob's coming I don't see how I can use my birthday as an excuse to not show up. I havn't quite commited to "Every empeg meet", but missing one in my home state would be a bad precedent. I'll be there, probably with one or two other people.

Rob, I'm in berkeley and will probably be free from work/classes. I'd be happy to hang out and show you the sites.

Matthew

Let me know where to go. I have a rental car.

wow exciting, i get to meet rob. Now i really do have to buy dinner for him.

i might try and get there a little bit early, i have a pretty packed day i belive.

So, here's the count i've got...

Me + Scott
Rob
Toby
Donato
Justin L. + GF
Jon B.
Zandr + half geek (?)
Tony + wife + daughter
Rob R.
Mike C.
Matthew K. + 1 or 2

That's ~18 so far.

Did i miss anyone?
I'll make the reservations around 5pm today... i hope they can take that many people!!

Alrighty, we have reservations for 7:30 Friday night at the Stinking Rose for 18 people.

She said we all have to be there BEFORE THEY WILL SEAT US. Meaning... LET US KNOW IF YOU AREN'T COMING! It's okay if you don't show and we have less than 18, but if we think someone else is coming we'll have to wait around until they get there before they seat us... and if they don't show... you get the picture. We don't wanna wait all night for a no show.

If it's questionable whether or not you are coming, PM me and i'll give you my cell number so you can keep me informed Friday.

Any questions?

Anyone that wants to swap cell numbers, send me a PM.

Sounds great. I found out that I will definitely have one other person with me, MAYBE two, if they get off work on time. Is that going to skew the reservation?

yeah... well... i dunno yet actually. I'll wait until everyone is more definite and Friday i'll call them if we need to add a few. No worries. Just let me know when you are sure.

Ok, two guests then. The second is only 75% sure they'll make it, but that's enough to say they're coming. They will let me know Friday night, before 7:30, if they are going to be there or not.

dose this get the award for the fasted organized meet so far on the forum?

I would say so.

It's snowing here in NY right now, so it will be good to get away (even for a day). Although, it's supposed to snow until noon-time tomorrow. Hopefully my flight is not delayed because of it.

Yes, I remember the many months just trying to pick a location for the last bay area meet. For the next bay area meet i'm voting for the car weekend in monterey. But then, by the end of the summer people may have had enough meets and be bored with the whole concept.

I'll be there tomorrow with one guest. 7:30 works great for me. For anyone who's never been on a friday night, parking will be a real pain, so be prepared to fork out cash or walk long distances.

Matthew

ya no hopefully no delays, i wanna at least get a cup of coffee with you before we head to the resturant.

I'm gonna give both you and Matthew a call once I get there. Coffee is good. I will probably sleep on the plane ride since I am trying to stay up all night.

So, here's the count i've got

Hey all. I think I am going to be flaking on you guys tomorrow night. I am not entirely sure at this point though. Anyway, if I am not there please don't wait for me. If I am going to show up I will make sure I am early.

-Mike

Just letting you guys know that I was able to catch an earlier flight, so I am here in Hayward now. I'm gonna take a nap for a couple hours then start calling people.

Anyway, I am still in.

I'm going to be heading out in a few minutes, to get my family and prepare for the drive. I'll see you all there!

see ya!

please be there on time folks... and give yourself time to park. I'll probably be hanging out front with a black hooded sweatshirt on and a "stud in my face" as my father loves to say. Should brought an empeg sticker or something... ah well. You'll see me milling about.

"Did you fall into a tackle box?"
"What's that lightpole in your face for?"

Just a few things I've heard from my father, and I only have one piercing, for now...

Anyway, see you there, I'm planning on being there a good 20 minutes early or so. I don't have a mohawk anymore, so it's not as easy to spot me as it was a few years ago

First off, sorry for cutting out early, I had to take my guests home, one has a sinus infection and wasn't feeling great, and the other has to work early tomorrow. I hope you guys had fun afterwards!

I'd just like to say thanks to Rob for the idea, Loren for the suggestion of the restaurant, and thank you to everyone who showed up. It was fun. Seeing the Pearl prototype/demo unit in person and hearing all about it from Rob and Toby was a treat. It looks promising.

As a heads up to everyone, pictures were taken of the group with Tony's camera, and he mentioned they will be posted tomorrow sometime.

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Matthew! I completely forgot to mention it when I was there, and didn't think of it until we were on our way home.